Graduation for the class of 2014 may be some months away, but students should start thinking about their forthcoming entry into the workplace. Though, for some, it may be daunting to think about graduation, the good news is that there are signs that next year will provide plenty of opportunities for job seekers with the right degree.

According to The Wall Street Journal, an annual study by Michigan State University's Collegiate Employment Research Institute has revealed that employers expect to hire 7 percent more undergraduates in 2014, with the report noting that there will be many positions available in the professional services, hospitality and engineering sectors. There are also signs that graduates with STEM-related degrees will be in high demand, with gains predicted of 20 percent or more for students with a bachelor's degree in computer science and data analytics.

In conjunction with Michigan State's research study, a recent article published by Forbes revealed that graduates could expect to receive high starting salaries in computer science, software design or programming, while business-related degrees such as economics, public relations, human resources and accounting are all very much in demand.

At the same time, according to Michigan State data, jobs in the finance sector may be slightly harder to predict. However, this may be because many of the larger financial institutions are going through a period of readjustment and may be simply reassessing their needs before making a commitment to increasing their headcount.

Planning for the future
Michigan State has been producing these reports for 43 years, and this year's report shows that graduate hiring remains at the top of the agenda for many companies. In fact, the employment landscape for bachelor's degrees is healthier for the Class of 2014 than in previous years, with the consensus being that many members of this year's graduating class likely have a clearer idea of where they want to work, especially those who have majored in a specialized subject.

"The best jobs will go to the graduates who know where they want to go, know how to get there and have a network of professional relationships they can tap for assistance with their job search," said Phil Gardner, Director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute. "Several years of potential double-digit expansion may be in our immediate future."